Eligibility for Financial Aid

The determination of your need is actually a simple calculation. We start with your cost of attendance, and then subtract your family's expected contribution. The result is your assessed need. So, the formula looks like this:
COA — Family Contribution = Assessed Need

If you applied for external aid  only (e.g., Stafford loan) we calculated a contribution from you (and your spouse, if applicable) based upon your income and asset information before determining your financial need. No parental information was considered.

However, if you applied for institutional aid, a contribution from both you (and your spouse, if applicable) and your parent(s) is displayed on your award letter. The threshold to qualify for institutional aid is determined both by your COA and by the assessed family contribution figure.

Regardless of whether you applied for external aid or for institutional aid, your award notification letter displays the maximum amounts for which you are eligible in federal student loans (e.g., Unsubsidized Stafford).